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This book is the first to examine a body of cultural artifacts from Spain that depict wars likely to erupt in the near or distant future. Beginning with the earliest examples of imaginary wars published in the late nineteenth century, it traces the evolution of the genre and its interplay with real conflicts up to the end of the Spanish Civil War.

The Science Fiction of Defeat uncovers a vast array of stories that explore the role of emerging technologies in modern warfare, shifts in the geopolitical landscape, the impact of World War I, the place of colonialism, fears of invasion, the specter of communism and fascism, and anxieties over the collapse of civilization. The book situates these texts within their historical context, both domestic and international, compares them to their European counterparts, and addresses issues of readership and influence. It reveals distinctive traits such as persistent Anglophobia, the use of humor, enduring imperialist aspirations, and anxieties about modernization and the nation. Expanding beyond literature, the book also investigates popular theater, reportage, comics, and collectible trading cards.